'Things to Avoid'

These are terms we don’t normally use and can seem a bit foreign or even irrelevant to us, but I want to fill it out a little to help you use this passage as a point of prayerful reflection with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Here is a breakdown of what John is saying.

The lust of flesh is an inordinate pursuit of pleasure. It involves our cravings, physical appetites, and sensual pleasures contrary to God's will. This could include gluttony, sexual immorality, or excessive indulgence. The key words are ‘inordinate’ and ‘contrary to God’s will’. Even good desires and pleasures can get out of proportion to what is healthy. They can take up too much of our time, mental capacity, and emotional attachment. The easy identifier is something that we know to be clearly against God’s will. How do we know that? We discover that through prayer reading of the full council of the bible. 

The lust of eyes refers to covetousness, a lust for material possessions or focus on outward appearances. Constant desire for more, better, and newer things, or being captivated by an outward show of wealth or status is unhealthy for us. Someone always has more. There is always the latest model of car, etc. Someone always seems to have more and have it more together. The lust of the eyes can be avoided through gratitude. Covetousness is essentially ingratitude for what we have because we are focusing on what other people have. When we take time to give thanks to God for all we have – name them from the smallest to the largest – our hearts become satisfied and at peace. God is indeed taking good care of us.

The pride of life is arrogance and a sense of self-sufficiency. It is boasting in achievements or status and a desire for self-exaltation and recognition. At its heart is a confidence in the self apart from God. Pride could be seen as the opposite of covetousness from the standpoint that instead of wanting what others have, it exalts what the individual has over others. As Psalm 14 tells us, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”.

The lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and pride of life are tendencies and temptations that we all have. The answer is not to give up, not to give in, but to rely upon Jesus who can protect us and transform us. Jesus prayed to the Father, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (Jn 17:15). May this time of reflection and repentance bring life and joy as you draw closer to Jesus.

Blessings,

Jonathan